The defending state champion in the shot put performed in March just as she finished her 2011 season by leading the San Diego Section in her favorite event and the discus throw. The senior put the shot 44 feet, 7 inches to lead that event by almost three feet and recorded a personal best of 140-2 in the discus.

Nick Alegrado

Volleyball

Otay Ranch

Setters rarely get the attention afforded those who dominate at the net, but most opponents quickly realized the engine behind the 12-1 Mustangs was the senior. A whopping 284 of his sets were turned into points. Alegrado added 53 digs, 12 blocks, 14 service aces and seven kills of his own.

Malina Hood

Basketball

La Jolla Country Day

While Kelsey Plum was scoring and twin sister Maya Hood was rebounding, Malina was the player who quietly guarded the other team’s best player and shut her down. Malina helped lead the Torreys to the state Division IV title by averaging double figures in scoring (13.1) as LJCD rolled to a 32-1 record.

Troy Conyers

Baseball

El Capitan

Whether on the mound or at the plate, Conyers put up glittering numbers in helping the Vaqueros start the season 10-2. On the mound, the senior posted a 1.14 ERA, allowing 14 hits in 24 2/3 innings. He fanned 44 batters against just four walks. At the plate, he batted .323 with seven RBI and two homers.

Rachel Nasland

Softball

Torrey Pines

The junior pitcher was one of the main reasons the Falcons started the season 16-0. Nasland posted an 8-0 record that included four straight shutouts. Against 151 batters, she allowed 19 hits, tossing no-hitters against El Camino and Morse. She had a 0.54 ERA and struck out 60 against 13 walks.

Brett Seeburger

Baseball

Vista

Talk about your tough outs. The junior pitcher/DH batted .581, scoring 11 times and driving in 10 runs. He had an on-base percentage of .639 for the 9-1 Panthers and a slugging percentage of .710. As a pitcher he was 2-0 with a 0.76 ERA, striking out 21 and walking just seven in 18 1/3 innings.

High school Athletes of the Month are recognized through a partnership between U-T San Diego and the San Diego Hall of Champions.